Fostering a neighborhood watch

Friday

Mar 18, 2016 at 12:01 AMMar 18, 2016 at 3:30 AM

Will Smith

Talking about an increase in crime is a lot different than actually doing something about it.

Burlington resident Tammy King of Burlington started a successful Neighborhood Watch in the Indian Terrace neighborhood two years ago, and her tenacity within the organization has led to at least two drug-house busts. She’s hoping it’s the tip of a Neighborhood Watch iceberg.

“We are the city of Burlington,” she said. “If I want my house and neighborhood to be safe, I’m going to do it.”

King spoke during a Thursday night informational meeting about neighborhood watch programs and lamented the lack of attendance as she looked around the Burlington Public Library meeting room. More than 50 people asked her to set up the meeting in conjunction with the Burlington Police Department, but there were only about a dozen in attendance.

“All these groups and (Facebook) pages everyone has, they’re worthless. They’re just a place people can talk,” she said. “The one thing we don’t do is sit behind a computer and complain.”

Sgt. Chad Zahn said there are more than half a dozen Neighborhood Watch groups in Burlington right now, and King has helped start several herself — including some outside of Burlington.

“If you want to get one started, I will come to your house,” King said. “Or you can come to our house.”

A neighborhood watch program can be as vigilant or lax as the citizens want it to be, but Lt. Greg Allen recommended it not be larger than three or four blocks. Otherwise, the neighbors won’t know enough about each other to keep a vigilant watch. King knows the daily routine of everyone in her neighborhood and isn’t afraid to call the police if she sees something suspicious.

“I’ve got people literally calling me and saying, ‘I’m going to be away for the weekend, can you watch my house,’” King said.

Zahn said this kind vigilance is a great aid to the police department, especially when it comes to investigating drug houses and shootings. Police will respond to a scene of shots fired, but without any further information to go on from the public, they don’t know what they’re looking for. Unless someone is injured or dead, the only evidence often is a few shell casings.

“There are a lot more eyes and ears in the community than throughout the police department,” Zahn said.

Neighborhood Watches started in the 1970s, and Des Moines County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Steve Parker (best known as McGruff the Crime Dog) was a big advocate, fostering a relationship between citizens and police resulting in 18 to 25 neighborhood watch groups in Burlington during the 1970s and ‘80s.

Although the number since has dropped significantly, making those groups effective remains a matter of speed and commitment. If you aren’t sure something is suspicious, Zahn said, it’s just best to call the police — immediately. Waiting a few days makes the information much less valuable.

“A lot of people won’t call us because if they don’t see the act occurring, they don’t think they’re a witness,” Zahn said. “If you call us, we’re going to come. It’s not a bother.”

Zahn pointed out a number of personal and home safety tips throughout the meeting, and noted those who do call the police will be asked some pertinent questions.

He recommended those reporting suspicious activity should note the person’s gender, race, clothing, direction of travel, approximate age, the suspicious activity they were involved with, the license plate number, the model and color of the vehicle and whether the vehicle was a two-door or four-door.

That way, the police will have an idea of who they’re looking for when they arrive.

“We prefer you observe the person secretly,” Zahn said. “At no time do we condone approaching the individual. I know people here in town that use binoculars to write down license plate numbers.”

Much of Burlington has been on edge since the murder of 16-year-old Kedarie Johnson earlier this month, and Burlington residents Pat and George Crawford live in the same neighborhood where Johnson’s body was discovered. They plan to start a Neighborhood Watch as soon as possible, but the teen’s murder wasn’t the only incident that convinced them it was time to take action.

“There was a shooting on our corner, which is one house away. They found the shells, but no evidence of anyone being hurt,” Pat Crawford said.

Those interested in staring a neighborhood watch should call the Burlington Police Department at (319) 753-8362.

Extras

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